Straw-stacker.



PATENTED APR. 17 1906 J. B. BARTHOLOMEW. STRAW STAGKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.15.1906.

2 SHEETS--SHEBT L PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

JQ B. BA-RTHOLOMEW. STRAW STAGKER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.15.1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. BARTHOLOMEW, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO- THE SATTLEY STACKER COMPANY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A

CORPORATION OF MAINE.

STRAW-STACKE R Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 17, 1906.

Original application filed May 26, 1900, Serial No. 18,098. Divided and this application filed February 15, 1906. Serial No. 301,265-

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN B. BARTHOLO- MEW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straw-Stackers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to straw-stackers of that class in which the stacker is secured directly to the threshing and separating machine and takes the straw therefrom and delivers it at the rear either in the form of stacks or otherwise. The stacking mechanism herein illustrated comprises an inner stacker-sec tion connected by a horizontal axis with some suitable support, an outer section connected with the inner section by a horizontallydisposed axis, and rigid links or bars pivotally connected with the outer section at points other than its axial connection with the inner section and also connected with the support, these parts being so disposed that the force of gravity is utilized in moving the sections of the stacker from one position to another, the sections in a measure counterbalancing each other. These features are in this case represented as applying to a stacker in which the outer section is underfolding that is, folds against the rear and under side of the inner section.

In another application, filed by me on the 26th day of May, 1900, of which this applica tion is a division, the above-described features of construction are represented as being applied in two forms of attached stackers, one having the outer section overfolding and the other having it underfolding, as herein illustrated, and these features are in such application broadly claimed.

In still another application, filed by me on the 29th day of May, 1900, I have represented and broadly claimed a straw-stacker in which the outer section is adapted to fold downward toward the rear of the inner section, and draft devices leading from the outer section to the inner section and arranged to pass across the axis connecting the two sections from the front to the rear thereof as the outer section turns from its working to its folded positions. Such features are, therefore, not broadly claimed in this application.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a straw-stacking mech anism embodying my improvements, the parts being represented in their folded or closed positions. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts extended into working position. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the parts of the stacker in extended or working position. F i 4 is a plan view illustrating the manner 0 securing the stackerframework to the framework of the threshingmachine.

A portion of the rear end of a threshingmachine is represented at A A in the drawings, the rest of the machine,not being essential to an understanding of this invention, being omitted. At the lower part of the separator-frame are the rearward-extending supporting-sills B, and upon these are supported the rotary frame at the back of the stacker, (indicated as awhole byD.)v This frame D is connected with the thresher by widely-separated vertically-disposed pivots b 1), between which is arranged the downward-opening discharge-chute or duct m of the threshingmachine. This frame D constitutes the support for the stacker mechanism proper. The construction of the frame D and the mechanism for imparting to it the horizontal oscillations or vibrations need not herein be described or illustrated, as they form no part of my present invention, but are fully illustrated and described in my aforesaid application of May 26, 1900.

Situated directly belowthe straw chute or discharge m of the thresher is a straw receiver or hopper m, mounted upon the frame D. Below this hopper or receptacle is an endless straw-carrier M, disposed substantially horizontal and arranged to deliver the straw to the stacker proper. The stacker consists of an inner section O and an outer section C the former being hinged or pivotally connected at its lower end to the frame D, the axis of such connection being horizontal and indicated at F and the latter be ing pivotally connected or hinged to the upper outer end of the inner section, the axis of this connection also being horizontal and indicated at p. I prefer that each section of the stacker should be provided with independent straw carrying means, and belts may be and ordinarily are used for this purject-matter of my aforesaid application of pose; but here again it isunnecessary' to describe these parts in detail, as they form sub- May 26, 1900.

I indicates a link pivoted at i to the supporting-frame D and at i to the outer stackersection, the pivotal connection with the lat ter being at a point distant from the pivotal connection of the two sections. J J are braces or strengthening-pieces secured to the wooden parts of the outer stacker to receive and distribute the strains. The shaft or rod that constitutes the pivot uniting the two sections preferably passes through one arm of this strengthening-piece, and the outer end of the link or bar I is connected at i with an upward-extending portion or arm thereof.

K represents a rope or cable connected at one end with the outer stacker-section C preferably at or near the axial line of the pivot i, and at the other end is wound upon a drum K, mounted upon a winding-shaft 70, supported by the frame D and having a handcrank 7c and a lock 70 There should be a cable and drum and also one of the links or bars I at each side of the machine in order to distribute the lifting power and strains uniformly.

To assist in the manipulations of the parts of the apparatus when arranged as described, I prefer to employ a spring L. It is connected to a lever-arm Z on the outer stackersection and to an arm Z on the link I. The spring L may be duplicatedthat is, there may be one on each side of the machine. The attachments for the spring are so related to each other that when the outer section is in its horizontal position, as represented in Figs. 2 and 3, the spring will be the most efficient as an agent for lifting such section. As this section swings downward toward the vertical the spring loses its efficiency (although it is being distended as the section swings downward) by reason of the fact that the draft of the spring is more and more nearly in the direction of the line connecting the axis 19 with the points of the spring connections Z Z. Just before the parts of the stacker reach their final folded positions the spring may pass the neutral linethat is, cross the axis pand the tension of the spring then becomes effective in holding the parts of the stacker toward each other and in their folded positions, as represented in Fig. 1.

When the stacker-sections are pivotally supported, so as to be each capable of vertical movement, as herein described, and when there are employed the connecting means between the outer section and the support for the stacker proper, such as the links or bars I, the force of gravity is utilized to assist in adjusting the sections from one position to another, one section in a measure counterbalancing the other as they are moved. It 1 will be seen that when the sections are in their folded positions, as represented in Fig. 1, the inner section C is lifted and the outer section is let fall, as compared with the positions of these two parts indicated in Fig. 3, which is one of the working positions. In moving the parts from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 3 the outer section is lifted, and by reason of its connection with the supporting-frame through the links I, as well as its pivotal connection with the frame through the inner section C, not only is it turned upon its hinge or pivotal connection p with the inner section, but the latter is caused to move in vertical planes, and it will be noticed that the movement of the inner section is downward or with the force of gravity, while the movement of the outer sec tion is upward or against the force of gravity, the result being that to a certain degree these two parts of the stacker operate, under the influence of gravity, in opposition to each other. A similar state of affairs exists when the .parts are folded from operative position to that of rest, except that then the outer section is lowered and the inner section simul taneously lifted.

As the two sections of the stacker do not perfectly counterbalance each other, it is found desirable, as has been stated, to employ a lifting spring or springs L, by the use of which nearly the entire gravity load is taken from the winding mechanism.

It will be observed that the point of attachment of the rope or cable K to the outer section is remote from the axis p, is somewhat above it, and moves to the rear of the axis as the section swings below the horizontal. This point of attachment is so related to the axis p that when the outer section moves from an extended substantially horizontal position to its folded position in rear of and below the inner section the line of the draft device crosses the line of the axis p that is to say, when the parts are in an extended working position the line of the draft device is in front of such axis or on the side toward the threshing-machine; but as the outer section turns downward such line crosses the axis p and moves to the rear thereof. This enables the operator to control the movements of the stacker-section both when in an extended working position and when in its folded position by means of the winding rope. This particular manner of mounting the draft devices is illustrated, described, and claimed in my aforesaid application of May 29, 1900, when applied to a stacker of ordinary construction that is, one wherein the two sections do not both move vertically and tend to counterbalance each other. As is represented in the drawings, the connected ends of the two stacker-sections are arranged between the links I, so

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that the latter tend to hold the stacker securely to the rear of the frameD.

The operation of folding the stacker is as follows: The rope or ropes K are let off gradually, allowing the outer section to turn downward until its end is within convenient reach from the ground. The latter may'then be manually moved up against the inner section and secured by any suitable fastening device, or, the line of the draft-rope K having passed to the rear of the axis p, the rope may be wound upon its drum, pulling the parts together and into folded positions.

When the parts are mounted and arranged as herein describedthat is, so that an underfolding of the outer section may be effected several important advantages are secured. I am enabled to effect a very compact arrangement of parts for transportation, bringing the upwardly-extending inner stackersection C close against the frame D into a nearly vertical position and causing the outer stacker-section to lie close in rear of this inner section. Further, this mode of folding does not involve so wide a range of movement of the parts as when the outer section is folded over upon the top of the threshing-machine. The construction is exceedingly simple and convenient of manipulation.

WVhat I claim is 1. In a straw stacker, the combination with a suitable support, of an inner stackersection pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis, an outer stacker-section pivotally connected with the inner section near the upper end of the latter and arranged to fold downward toward the rear of the inner section, a draft device leading from the outer section to the support and controlling the movements of the former, and means connecting between the said support and the outer section, whereby the weight of the inner section is caused to assist in moving the outer section, substantially as set forth.

2. In a straw stacker, the combination with a suitable support, of a folding stackerframe comprising an inner section pivoted to the support, and an outer section pivoted to the outer end of the inner section and arranged to fold downward against the rear side of the former, draft devices connecting the inner section and the support and arranged to control the movements of the latter, and rigid bars or links constituting pivotal connections between the outer section and the support, the connections between the bars and the outer section being at a distance from the pivotal connection of the two stacker-sections and arranged to cause the lifting of the inner section as the outer section is folded downward, substantially as set forth.

3. In a straw-stacker, the combination of a horizontal swinging frame D arranged to be supported at the rear of a threshing-machine, the inner, upward-extending stackersection pivotally connected at its lower end with the said frame, an outer stacker-section pivotally connected with the outer upper end of the inner section and arranged to fold downward toward the rear of the inner section, and means connecting the outer section with the frame arranged to draw the inner section toward the frame when the outer section is folded down, substantially as set forth.

4. In a strawstacker, the combination with a suitable support, of a folding stackerframe comprising an inner section pivoted to the support, an outer section pivoted to the outer end of the inner section and arranged to fold downward toward the rear thereof, and rigid bars or links pivotally connecting the outer section with the said support, the connection of the bars or links with the outer section being distant from the pivotal connection of the two sections and being arranged to occupy a position above thesa d pivotal connection when the stacker is in working positions and to move downward and toward the said pivotal connection as the outer section is moved down and toward the rear of the inner section, substantially as set forth.

5. In a straw-stacker, the combination of a suitable support, an inner section pivoted to the support, an outer section pivoted to the outer end of the inner section and arranged to fold downward toward the rear of such section, rigid arms or links constituting pivotal connections between the outer section and the inner section, the connections between the bars or links and the outer section being at a distance from the ivotal connection of the two sections, w ereby the weight of the inner section assists in moving the outer section, and a draft device leading from the outer section to the said support and connecting them and arranged to cross the aXis of the outer section from the front to the rear as the outer section turns downward, substantially as set forth.

6. In a straw stacker, the combination with a suitable support, of an inner stackersection pivotally connected thereto, an outer stacker-section pivotally connected to the inner section and arranged to be folded relative thereto, means connecting the outer section with the said support whereby the two stacker sections in their relative vertical movements tend to balance each other, and a spring arranged to further assist in counterbalancing the said stackensections, substantially as set forth.

7. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a suitable support, of an inner stackersection pivotally connected thereto, an outer stacker-section pivotally connected to the outer end of the inner section and arranged to fold downward toward the rear thereof,

& 818,339

connections between the outer stacker-sec- I In testimony whereof I afliX my signature tion and the said support arranged to cause in presence of two Witnesses.

the two stacker-sections in a measure to balance each other in their vertical move- JOHN BARTHOLOMEW' Inents, and a spring arranged to further as- Witnesses: sist 1n counterbalancing the said stacker-sec- JEAN CALDWELL, tlons, substantlally as set forth. E. M. VOORHEES. 

